The authorities upon which I have mainly relied for my statements, are given in the body of the work. There is no country on the globe, whose early history is so full of interest and instruction as our own. The writer feels grateful to the press, in general, for the kindly spirit in which it has spoken of the attempt, in this series, to interest the popular reader in those remarkable incidents which have led to the establishment of this majestic republic. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. _Childhood and Youth._ PAGE Birthplace of Ferdinand De Soto.--Spanish Colony at Darien.--Don Pedro de Avila, Governor of Darien.--Vasco Nunez.--Famine.--Love in the Spanish Castle.--Character of Isabella.--Embarrassment of De Soto.--Isabella's Parting Counsel. 9 CHAPTER II. _The Spanish Colony._ Character of De Soto.--Cruel Command of Don Pedro.--Incident.--The Duel.--Uracca.--Consternation at Darien.--Expedition Organized.--Uracca's Reception of Espinosa and his Troops.--The Spaniards Retreat.--De Soto Indignant.--Espinosa's Cruelty, and Deposition from Command. 21 CHAPTER III. _Life at Darien._ Reinforcements from Spain.--Aid sent to Borrica.--Line of Defense Chosen by the Natives.--Religion of the Buccaneers.--The Battle and the Rout.--Strategy of Uracca.--Cruelty of Don Pedro.--The Retreat.--Character of Uracca.--Embarrassment of Don Pedro.--Warning of M. Codro.--Expedition of Pizarro.--Mission of M. Codro.--Letter of De Soto to Isabella. 37 CHAPTER IV. _Demoniac Reign._ Giles Gonzales.--Unsuccessful Contest of De Soto with Gonzales.--Bold Reply of De Soto to the Governor.--Cruelty of Don Pedro to M. Codro.--Assassination of Cordova.--New Expedition of Discovery.--Revenge upon Valenzuela.--Reign of Don Pedro at Nicaragua.--Unwise Decision of De Soto. 55 CHAPTER V. _The Invasion of Peru._ The Kingdom of Peru.--Its Metropolis.--The Desperate Condition of Pizarro.--Arrival of De Soto.--Character of the Spaniards.--Exploring Tour of De Soto.--The Colony at San Miguel.--The General Advance.--Second Exploration of De Soto.--Infamous Conduct of the Pizarros. 72 CHAPTER VI. _The Atrocities of Pizarro._ Fears of Pizarro.--Honorable Conduct of the Inca.--The March to Caxamarca.--Hospitable Reception.--Perfidious Attack upon the Inca.--His Capture and Imprisonment.--The Honor of De Soto.--The Offered Ransom.--Treachery and Extortion of Pizarro. 90 CHAPTER VII. _The Execution of the Inca, and Embarrassments of De Soto._